The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Queensland Section) Limited (RFDS) recently become a finalist in the AHRI Diversity Awards recognising excellence and innovation in the area of diversity. We asked this terrific organisation to share about why this is important and what this means in relation their work life balance and flexibility offered to their employees. Here’s what they had to say.

To be named as a finalist in two categories of the AHRI 2012 Diversity Awards is a significant honour for the RFDS, and one which reflects our strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.

As a not-for-profit organisation providing health care to people in rural and remote areas of the state, the RFDS delivers health care programs across diverse geographic areas, to people from a wide range of cultures. In order to develop services that are of the highest possible quality, relevant, and culturally appropriate, the organisation has developed a range of initiatives to attract people of different cultures, religions and language ensure that our workforce is appropriately skilled. Attracting, recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce ensures that our employees can contribute a broad range of skills, ideas and experience to meet this goal.

Embedded in the practices of the RFDS is the principle of equal employment opportunity, and we believe that the diversity of our workforce is one of our greatest strengths. In order to achieve this, we have implemented a range of policies and strategies that accommodate and enhance the background, experience and perspectives of each employee.

Policies designed to create an inclusive environment that supports diversity and is responsive to the needs of our employees include:

> organisational commitment to salary sacrifice arrangements

> generous study leave

> employer funded paid parental leave

> flexible return to work practices, including job share, flexible work hours and part-time arrangements

> formal work from home arrangements

> support in areas such as workplace language and cultural requirements, including recognition of Cultural Leave and employee participation in events of cultural significance such as NAIDOC Week

> job rotation for employees such as Base Managers, Flight Nurses and Pilots to enable them to work at different Bases throughout the state, providing a rich personal and professional experience for them

> where relevant, fly in fly out conditions including generous allowances, secure and comfortable accommodation

The RFDS aims to provide the flexibility that supports work/life balance for our employees, taking into account individual needs.

These progressive work practices will ensure that the RFDS can provide a workplace that attracts and retains talented employees who share our passion for providing equity of access to high quality health care services for all those who live, work and travel in rural, remote and regional areas of Queensland. Our commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and dynamic, culturally competent and flexible work practices will therefore underpin the long term sustainability of our organisation.

A number of our employees in Far North Queensland recently completed Certificate IV in Community Development. To hear the story of Marilyn Kepple, a Community Development Consultant in the RFDS Wellbeing Centre in Coen, click on the play button on the video above.

Click here to find out more about Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Queensland Section) Limited (RFDS).